NAB president wary of plan to allow unlicensed devices to use vacant TV spectrum

The National Association of Broadcasters has expressed “serious concerns” about FCC proposed rulemaking allowing unlicensed wireless devices to vacant frequency currently allocated for television broadcasting.

The FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making relies on “smart radio” technology in a new generation of wireless devices to prevent interference with broadcasters. (For more information on the proposal, see FCC Actions in this edition of RF Update.)

In a statement released May 13, NAB president and CEO Edward Fritts raised concern about potential interference from wireless devices allowed to use vacant TV spectrum.

“We have serious concerns that the introduction of unlicensed devices into the television band could result in unforeseen interference in broadcast service to millions of television viewers,” said Fritts. “Free, over-the-air television provides invaluable news, information and entertainment to local communities all over America and serves as a lifeline to citizens in times of crisis. We will work with the FCC to ensure that this proposal can be accommodated while preserving interference-free, over-the-air television."

The FCC has released its plan for allowing unlicensed transmitters to operate on vacant TV channels. If things stay on schedule, consumers will be able to buy these devices immediately after analog TV is shut off in February 2009. Broadcasters and other users of UHF TV spectrum, including two-way radio licensees and us

The Association of Maximum Service Television (MSTV) has asked the FCC to clarify technical details of its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow unlicensed devices to operate on vacant TV channels. MSTV said it is planning to do laboratory tests, an assessment of available spectrum for unlicensed de

A few weeks ago I mentioned the MSTV Video Your Neighbor's Static in RF Report. It showed the interference unlicensed devices operating on unused TV channels could cause to TV reception. A group of respected scientists say this is not the case in an issue brief titled Reclaiming the Vast Wasteland - Why Unlicensed U

NAB and the Association for Maximum Service Television are continuing their efforts to educate regulators about the damage to over-the-air TV broadcasting from unlicensed devices sharing broadcast spectrum.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Association for Maximum Service Television filed comments on the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to allow unlicensed devices to operate on unused TV channels. The NAB/MSTV comments included studies showing that under the proposed rules, these unlicensed